Graham Edward Messer

“Grambo” was born at Presbyterian Hospital on November 17, 1981. He graduated from Fort Mill High School in 2000 and studied telecommunications at York Technical College where he was proudly Student of the Year.

Graham is survived by his loving wife, Kelli Burns Messer, and their dogs, Nuke (Goldendoodle), Belle (Great Dane), and Mazzy (Hound mix); his sister Kate Messer Hunter, of Anderson, SC, (husband Jonathan and sons Sylas and Phife); father Jim Messer (wife Norma); paternal grandmother Ellen Shinn Messer (Memaw); cousin Paul Messer (wife Erin and their children Kailyn, Dylan, and Charlotte); uncles Steve Messer (wife Jeanne), Mike Messer (partner Theo), and Fred Nims; stepfather Rick Hutchison; Kelli’s parents Joseph and Karen Burns; sister-in-law Christie Glass (husband Brad), and brother-in-law Ryan Burns.

Grambo was a fiercely loyal, vibrant, silly, and kind human. He never met a dog he did not want to pet or a person who he did not see as a potential friend. His mantra was effortlessly, unconditionally, and passionately - LOVE. Everyone lucky enough to be in his orbit received strong embraces and heartfelt affirmations of his love with every encounter. If he loved you, you knew it. Friends were family, and Graham loved to be surrounded by his people. He especially enjoyed having friends over at their beloved bungalow for dinner parties or libations. Whether by the pool or by the grill, Graham was an adoring host. Music was an obsession of Graham’s - he could tell you anything and everything about the concerts he went to and his favorite bands.

His life of love hit the highest of highs when he met Kelli, and their love story began. Graham was immediately completely enamored by Kelli – even proudly proclaiming his deep love seven days after their first date. Engaged after just eleven weeks and married on May 29, 2015, at the VanLandingham Estate, he became one half of a whole – Kelli & Graham. He was bursting with pride to be at Kelli’s side, and certain to make sure everyone knew it. Graham would often proclaim that their wedding day was the best day of his life. To know Graham was to know his deep and unending love for Kelli and the incredible life they built together. Their love was a force of nature - rich with laughter, silliness, passion, friends and family, and wagging tails.

While Graham spent most of his life as a woodworker in cabinetry, he recently took a break to work for dear friends at The Culture Shop, where he enjoyed showing off his growing collection of dog-themed aprons which he designed using images of he and Kelli’s three dogs, Nuke, Belle, and Mazzy.

He loved spending time with his nephews, Sylas and Phife, and recently celebrated Sylas’ 14th birthday at Carowinds, riding the scariest rollercoasters at the park together. After losing their beloved mother, Mott, to cancer in 2016, Graham and Kate bonded over their shared grief. He joined Kate’s family last August at their childhood beach house for what Kate calls quite possibly the greatest time they ever had together.

One of Graham’s favorite childhood memories was attending Atlanta Braves’ games every year with his Pawpaw, EB. He declared the Braves’ 2021 World Series game he attended with his wife Kelli, best friend Bryant Melton and other friends, was the second-best day of his life. The only way that moment and their World Series win could have been any better was if he watched it with EB next to him.

Graham was preceded in death by his mother, Mott Hutchison (lovingly referred to as Mottdawg), maternal grandparents Fred and Myrtle Nims (Papa and Grandie), great-aunt Barbara Wallace, his uncle Jack Nims, his cousin Jason Dye great-grandmother Ellen Shinn (Nana), great-aunt Dot Shinn, and Graham’s hero in life, his grandfather Edward Burtley Messer, who he lovingly referred to as Pawpaw or EB and beloved family pets Skylar, Callie, and Cashew.

Celebration of life to be held at Snug Harbor in Charlotte on Sunday, August 21st from 3pm-6pm (shirts optional, tattoos encouraged). In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Humane Society of Charlotte or North Meck Animal Rescue in his name.